GFA / Banks Beer Knockout Cup...Alpha, Camptown favoured for today

GFA / Banks Beer Knockout Cup…Alpha, Camptown favoured for today

Dec 25, 2011 Sports

-another double-header on tomorrow

Reigning club champions Alpha ‘the Hammer’ United with a fleet of past and present national players in their line-up will start as favourites for today’s quarter-finals feature clash against East Bank Demerara-based Riddim Squad in the lucrative GFA / Banks Beer Knockout Cup at the GFC ground.
With players possessing the caliber of ace striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams, Andrew Murray Jnr, Manasseh Primo, Leon Grumble, Dwight Peters, former national Captain Howard Lowe, Abassi McPherson and national goalkeeper Ronson Williams in their line-up it is difficult to see even a rejuvenated Riddim Squad getting past such a star-studded unit.
They will be supported by the likes of Quincy Madramootoo and Selwyn Isaacs, both very good players at this level.
In their opening encounter, ‘the Hammer’ sent an ominous forewarning to everyone in their path with a resounding 11-0 thrashing of minnows Charlestown United and despite the opposition this time being of a higher pedigree, the superiority at least on paper is quite obvious.
Riddim Squad did not look that sharp in their first round encounter against the University of Guyana and many feel that they were lucky to escape with a win after squandering many chances, while UG created many and were also guilty of doing the same.
However, players such as the Hope siblings Sceyon and Sheldon, Amos Ramsay, Orville and Dorville Stewart and Julian Forris are all capable of finding form on the day.
It should be an intriguing matchup, but Alpha United is tipped to advance.
And Alpha Vice President Steve Ninvalle said despite the inclement weather, Alpha is a strong team mentally and have been preparing and have superior fitness. This he noted with take them through. Ninvalle expects a tough encounter from the formidable Mocha side but is confident of their capabilities of upping their game and advancing.
In the opening encounter, homesters GFC still need a little more energy up front, but as was evident in their previous clash, the team seems to be gaining confidence.
Terrence ‘Ole Head’ Lewis as always is a very experienced and cunning player whose forays down the flank are usually deadly, while Anson Lynch and Teshawn Blackman looked nippy in their battle against Houston Stars.
However, Sunburst Camptown is a well respected line-up that could beat any team in the Cup when they are in sync.
Troy ‘Bugsy’ Prescod, is the lynch pin in the team, while Orlando Gilgeous, Peter Parks, Devon Forde, Sheldon Shepherd, Ryan O’Selmo and goalkeeper Maurice Prince have shown admirable commitment throughout the season.
Prescod is the player that everything evolves around and keeping him quiet could fortify the chances of GFC, but doing so will not be easy, especially with $3million up for grabs for winning the tournament.
Kick off time is 18:00 hrs and as one official stated football fans are in for a Christmas treat with the two matches scheduled.
Meanwhile, another terrific double-header is slated for tomorrow (Boxing Day) with Beacon FC battling Black Pearl FC and Santos colliding with the youthful and enterprising Fruta Conquerors.
In the feature game, Fruta Conquerors a team with an average age of 19 years is one of the favourites to win the coveted first prize, but they are not expected to have things all their way against a determined Santos line-up.
However, when a side could field such quality junior players as Eon Alleyne, Trevon Lythcott, Pernell Schultz, Jermaine Junor, Marco Marcus and the next best thing between the uprights in Colin Edwards then any team on the other side of the pitch is in for a rough time.
Santos did not look as razor-sharp as they ought to at this level in their previous encounter, but the point is that they’ve made it to this stage and anything can happen.
They will look to Jermaine Fraser, Gerald Whittington, Mark Glasgow, Michael Pedro and Lerone Charles to lead their quest for victory.
In the supporting encounter, Black Pearl made it this far after gaining a walkover from the GDF, while Beacons looked impressive against Flamingo.
Philip Rowley, Jerome Richardson, Rensford Coleridge and Paul Giles have displayed good form and should hold their own against Black Pearl.
At stake is over G$6M in cash and other prizes, while Banks DIH Ltd, Mc Neal Enterprises, Courtney Benn Construction Company Ltd, Coal Pot Restaurant, Prudential Industrial Technology among others have all supported the tournament.